Afterthought re: language & sexual politics

[jmc_bks]

I'm posting separately because I'm tired of editing my original post on Lover Awakened. Another thing that caught my attention: served vs. serviced.



When Zsadist and the other members of the Brotherhood talk about Bella's needing, they speak of Z "serving" her. Which to me connotes a position of subservience to her, and implies that Z is helping her and is honored (sort of) to be the one to do so. But Bella's brother doesn't think of it as serving her. He calls it "servicing" her, which dehumanizes the experience in my opinion, and implies that someone is being used. And if she had had sex with more than one guy, it would have dirtied her, even if the behavior was the result of a biological imperative. Which would be in line with his very paternalistic behavior toward both Bella and their mother.

Am I being nit-picky to notice that? Or was the distinction intentional on Ward's part?

Comments

[sarahf.livejournal.com]

The one thing I've learned from the authors I know and from analyzing dead ones is that they're incredibly particular about every single word they choose. And I think Ward has COMPLETE control of everything she writes, so yes, I'm absolutely positive it was intentional. And whether it was or not, does it matter?

"Serviced" also demeans Z. Making him into a rutting animal, as well as Bella.

[rosario001.livejournal.com]

Ohhh, that's an interesting distinction, and I didn't catch it at all. Or maybe I did, but subconsciously, which is why it didn't bother me when the Brotherhood was talking about it, but it did when Bella's brother interrogated her.